Pray for a Pastor

J. D. Greear writes on his blog:

Forgive me if this seems overly self-focused... as if wah-wah our lives as pastors are hard (cue soft violin music). I know everyone's job is hard. I just ask that when you think of me you pray for me...

Peter Drucker, the late leadership guru, said that the four hardest jobs in America (and not necessarily in order, he added) are: president of the United States, a university chancellor, a hospital CEO, and a church pastor.

Jimmy Draper, former president of the Lifeway Research Group, notes that for every 20 people who go into the pastorate only one retires from the ministry. Can you name any other profession where there is a 95 percent drop-off rate? Most don’t make it to retirement in the ministry because they are either fired, have a moral failure or just burned out and give up.

Pastors have the second-highest divorce rate of any profession. 48% of them think their job is detrimental to their family’s well-being. Another 46% will experience a burnout or a depression that will make them leave the ministry. 70 % say their self-esteem is lower now than when they started their position.

So pray for a pastor. Pray for THIS pastor. Pray for all pastors!